WLAK (AM)

Last updated

WLAK
Broadcast area Rice Lake, Wisconsin
Frequency 1260 kHz
BrandingSt. Croix Country
Programming
Format Country music
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
WBZH
History
First air date
January 23, 1978 (1978-01-23) [1]
Former call signs
WXCE (1976–2023)
Technical information [2]
Licensing authority
 FCC
Facility ID 47079
Class B
Power 5,000 watts
Transmitter coordinates
 45°15′25.00″N92°22′0.00″W / 45.2569444°N 92.3666667°W / 45.2569444; -92.3666667
Translator 107.5 W298DK (Amery)
Links
Public license information
Website lakeair.radio

WLAK (1260 kHz) is an AM radio radio station licensed to serve Amery, Wisconsin. The station is owned by Sage Weil, through licensee Civic Media, Inc. [3]

Contents

WLAK has an FM translator on the frequency of 107.5 MHz. [4]

History

The station originally signed on the air on January 23, 1978, as WXCE. [5] It was established to serve the Polk County area and initially operated with a power of 5,000 watts. For much of its early history, the station was known for its "Badger Radio Network" affiliation, providing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers sports to the northwestern part of the state. [6]

On April 28, 2020, the then-WXCE changed its format to active rock, simulcasting WXNK 940 AM Shell Lake. [7]

In 2021, WXCE switched from a WXNK simulcast to a simulcast of Soft AC formatted FM sister station WZEZ. [8]

On November 11, 2021, WXCE went silent. [9]

In September 2022, WXCE returned to the air as a progressive talk format branded as "Lake Air Radio", operated by Civic Media under a local marketing agreement; Civic Media was in the process of acquiring the station and its translator, along with two sister stations. [10] The purchase was consummated on December 29, 2022, at a price of $700,000. Effective January 29, 2023, the new owners changed the station's call sign to WLAK.

In November 2025, The station flipped formats from News/Talk to a simulcast of Country-formatted WSCM in Baldwin, Wisconsin.

References

  1. ↑ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1999 (PDF). 1999. p. D-489. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for WLAK". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  3. ↑ "WLAK Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  4. ↑ "Federal Communications Commission -- FM Query Results".
  5. ↑ "Civic Media Adds Country Simulcast in NW Wis., Dropping Talk". NorthPine: Upper Midwest Broadcasting. December 2, 2025. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Badger Radio Network". University of Wisconsin Athletics. August 21, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  7. ↑ ""Ink" Expands in Northwestern Wisconsin". NorthPine: Upper Midwest Broadcasting. April 28, 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  8. ↑ Changes in Albertville, Langdon, Milbank, Amery, and Sturgeon Bay Northpine.com - October 28, 2021
  9. ↑ FCC Monitor: KLBB Update, New FM in Minn., Wis. AM Goes Silent Northpine.com - November 21, 2021
  10. ↑ "Civic Media Acquires Green Bay/Appleton Pair; Launches Two More Liberal Talkers Across Wisconsin". RadioInsight. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
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